La Rappresentanza Permanente d’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite a Ginevra ha co-sponsorizzato, insieme alla Rappresentanza Permanente di San Marino, il side-event organizzato in occasione del centenario della nascita di Padre Oreste Benzi dalla Rappresentanza Permanente della Santa Sede a Ginevra e dall’Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII a margine della sessantesima sessione del Consiglio Diritti Umani.
Nel corso dell’evento, introdotto da un’articolata allocuzione del Presidente della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, Cardinale Matteo Zuppi, che ha ricordato i forti legami tra la Chiesa Conciliare ed il sistema delle Nazioni Unite, il Rappresentante Permanente d’Italia, Amb. Vincenzo Grassi, ha pronunciato l’intervento di seguito riportato.
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“Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour for me to take the floor at this important event, dedicated to a theme that speaks today more than ever to the conscience of humanity: no more wars.
In a world scarred by old and new conflicts, growing polarization and appalling forms of supremacism, we are reminded that peace cannot be built on fragile foundations. It requires justice, respect for human rights and the rule of law, integral human development, and—above all—international solidarity.
Italy strongly shares Father Benzi’s vision about the need to organize peace. Our Republican Constitution is rooted in the conviction that dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation, must guide international relations. In this spirit, Italian diplomacy strives to be a bridge: a bridge between peoples, between faiths, between institutions and civil society.
The legacy of Father Benzi is an inspiration in this endeavour, showing that true peace begins with inclusion, dignity, and respect for each individual, in particular women, girls and young persons. This lesson resonates deeply with the mission of the United Nations and with the values of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
We know that conflicts are fuelled by injustice, exclusion, and inequality. This is why we value a thorough discussion about development and peace also in a human rights framework. And this is why we have to reject silence and resignation speaking loudly against the current atrocities perpetrated daily under the eyes of the international community, including the “stubbornness in indiscriminately killing” – to quote a vivid expression from our President of the Republic.
Italy is committed to a holistic and people-centred approach to these challenges: from supporting humanitarian assistance in crisis areas, to promoting mediation and conflict prevention, to working in close relationship with civil society organizations that embody “people’s diplomacy.” We will stand for these values and principles if elected in the Human Right Council for the period 2026-2028.
Excellencies,
At this existential crossroad for humanity, we must have the courage to choose peace as a common project. Let us transform solidarity into policy, charity into action, and justice into service. This is the best way to honor the legacy of Father Benzi and many other representatives of the Christian doctrine like Giorgio La Pira and Ernesto Balducci who spent their life in building a path to a future of dialogue for generations to come.
Thank you”.
Guarda il video del side-event.
